Mount Vernon council approves rezoning, park study, road engineering and water-rate increase

The Mount Vernon City Council on Tuesday approved a package of land‑use measures, consultant agreements and a wholesale water‑rate notice during a meeting at City Hall.

The council voted 4‑0, with Council Member Joe Gliosci absent, to approve multiple ordinances and resolutions including rezoning for storage and a residential lot, a subdivision plat, a contract for a parks market study and master plan, supplemental engineering for road and storm‑sewer work at Fountain Place and notice of a small wholesale water‑rate increase.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Rushing Subdivision preliminary and final plat to create a residential parcel west of Mount Vernon with frontage on State Route 15; the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 4‑0 and the council approved the plat by voice vote. The related rezoning petitions for 9391 East Illinois Route 15 — to R‑1 (residential) for the home parcel and to B‑2 (business) for the storage units — also passed on motions from Council Members Mike Young and Donte Moore. The petitions were filed by property owner Cory Rushing.

City Attorney David Leggans brought several land‑use items related to storage and moving operations. The council approved an ordinance rezoning a parcel on Illinois Highway 37 North from A‑G (agriculture) to B‑2 (business) for petitioner Jake Flentge and approved a conditional‑use permit for a moving and storage operation at that location. Planning and Zoning had recommended approval on these items.

The council authorized a services agreement with Planning Design Studio LLC for a market study and master plan for Veterans Park and Lincoln Park. The base contract is $69,500; staff recommended adding an online survey for $4,000 and a fundraising brochure for $6,000, bringing the total to $79,500. Council Member Ray Botch moved the resolution and the measure passed unanimously among members present.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing supplemental engineering services with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for final engineering on road improvements and storm sewer at Fountain Place (from State Route 37 to the Manner Polymer property). The supplemental services are priced at $60,345; staff said the city has applied to the Illinois Department of Transportation for an Economic Development Grant to cover 50% of the estimated $1.8 million project, which would leave an approximate city match of $900,000 if the grant is awarded.

In another unanimous vote the council approved a resolution to notify several water districts — the Village of Woodlawn, Village of Bluford, Dix‑Kell Water Commission, Village of Belle Rive, Village of Waltonville and Northeast Water Company — of a proposed wholesale water‑rate increase of $0.13 per 1,000 gallons. Staff cautioned that the Regional/Large Customer Division (RLCD) had not finalized the rate as of the meeting’s date but the city needed to issue notifications by the end of February.

During the public‑comment period resident Burt Hathaway raised neighborhood concerns about the condition of Lyons Court, safety and speeding where Route 37 turns at Lyons Court, and noise from music at Central Christian Church that he said rattled windows in his home. Mayor John Lewis said the city would have an engineer inspect Lyons Court, the city would notify state authorities about Route 37 because it is a state highway, and City Manager Bechtel said the Police Department is addressing speeding complaints.

The council approved consolidated vouchers for accounts payable totaling $1,662,088.43 and completed routine business before moving into executive session at 7:35 p.m. under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) to discuss setting a price for sale or lease of city real property. The council reconvened at 7:49 p.m. and adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The deputy city clerk signed the meeting minutes.